(Colton Cypraes)
"You could have called me Quincy, for goodness' sake, I'm your brother."
Getting angry at this point won't do any good, I know, but I'm so mad at that jerk laying his filthy hands on my sister. Our parents have never laid a hand on us. I swear I'm going to make him pay if it's the last thing I do.
"Please don't do anything, Colton, please. I'll handle it. You too, Dad."
"I'm sorry, honey, but that's going to be very hard."
My dad's reply hits both of us with a finality that he is going to do something. And, I'll be right there beside him in whatever he decides to do.
"Dad is right, Quincy, on this one. I'll be damned if I ever let him near you again."
That seems to make Quincy give up on the Idea of confronting his bastard of a fiancée. The thought of that arrogant bastard hitting my sister makes my blood boil all over again. To think everyone thinks he is some sweet guy devoted to his woman, only to end up being a beast. If it weren't for the maid filling my parents in on the situation, she would have been a goner.
"As of this day, we are stopping all cooperation with your fiancée's group."
I don't need to ask my father for his permission as we both agree on this. Quincy attempts to try and talk me out of this, but my word is final. I'm not giving my sister to that bastard. I'm going to make sure that their company falls through the mud.
"So, who was that you came with?"
Quincy asks, which makes my father curious enough to raise his eyebrow at me. I know what Quincy is doing. She is trying to change the topic, but I know I'm going to fail at trying to steer clear of Orion for the time being. I had been worried about Quincy's state when I arrived here, and I forgot that I left him alone with my mother. I hope he is okay.
My father had filled me up on the situation, but still, it's hard for me to believe anyone can ever hurt my sister. As if summoned by my thoughts, my mother reenters the room however, she's alone with Orion, not Insight. My heart drops for a second before my mother confirms.
"I can see the worry on your face, son. Don't worry, your little constellation is with his father."
She stresses the word your which makes my sister snicker, traitor. My father is still puzzled, he's not in the loop yet. I've told Quincy over the phone and in texts about Orion, so she has a little knowledge of who he is. And a lot of scenarios in her mind.
"Who are we talking about here again?"
He finally asks me a question, but I don't know how to introduce him. Just as I get ready to answer, the door to Quincy's hospital room slowly opens. A little girl stands in the doorway. Her short, curly hair moves softly around her face, and her bright blue eyes catch my attention. She takes a few careful steps toward me, her small feet making soft sounds on the hospital floor, and gently tugs at my trousers. With a curious expression, she points toward my sister. There's something familiar about her, but I can't quite figure out the connection.
"Upsis, Mr, please?"
She raises her little arm toward me, her tiny fingers reaching out with excitement. I lift her into my arms, and she snuggles against me, fitting perfectly as if she belongs there. This feels natural, as if there is a connection between us. I look around the room and see that my whole family is watching, their faces showing surprise and curiosity.
"What's wlong with pletty lady?"
She asks no one in particular, but turns and looks at me, curiosity evident on her face. No one makes a move to answer her. I clear my throat not to scare her.
"She's hurt, princess."
She gasps. It's the cutest thing in the world I've ever seen.
"Sholly, don't wolly. I have something to whelp you."
She reaches for her bag which is tied round her waist and opens it. There's a small strawberry bandage in it, and gestures for me to move closer to the patient. She takes it and places it on my sister's head and blows on it.
"Is okay, don't cry, it will help."
"Whose kid is she?"
My mother asks us, but we are all clueless. It's not my father's nor my sister's. She bears an uncanny resemblance to our family genes. Unless we have a sister we don't know about, because she might be our long-lost relative. I think. But, I know better, my essence was once stolen after getting with someone. The memory is all foggy.
"Kid, where is your mommy?"
My dad inquires of her. She turns to my dad and smiles.
"Papa is mama. Glandpa says not to tell mommy, princess knows. Papa will be mad at Glandpa."
I don't know if I heard her correctly. Did she just say that her dad is her mother? That doesn't make sense.
"You confused too?" she laughs, " Plincess has a picture."
She goes into her bag again and retrieves a crumbled photo of a pregnant person. It's not the picture that catches my attention, but the person who's in the photo.
"You smell like papa."
We hear commotion outside our room. As a pair are arguing, figuring it might be the little girl's parent we all leave my sister in the bed and move out.
"Dad, you know she's curious about a lot of things at her age."
Orion is arguing with a man whom I'm presuming is his dad, by the way he called him. By the look on his face, it's evident the man blames himself for something.
The little squims on my hold. She plops down and rushes to Orion as if she's just spotted something precious of hers.
"Papa!"
She calls out while running towards Orion. He turns around, and from his face, it's clear he's been crying. The little girl calling him Papa makes his face light up.
He plops down to receive his daughter, I assume. The photo still crumbled in my hand. I gently place it in my pocket. The sight in front of me warms my heart a million times over.
The girl is nestled in his arms, which makes me a bit jealous. I want to do that too. Orion whispers something to his dad, and he takes the girl. Orion then comes to where my parents and I are.
"I'm sorry if she disturbed you, and thank you for looking after her."
I don't know what possessed me, my body just moved on its own, and I found myself hugging Orion tightly. He returned the hug with intensity. I whispered in his ear. Fuck, I wanted to kiss him then there.
"Okay, little Kitten?"
The nod he gave me was the reassurance I needed.